Running from the required two years of service in the Dravara isn’t unusual, and oftentimes facing a bounty hunter is better than what lies east. Aurora makes the decision to flee, but in a tragic turn of events Aurora is separated from his family, and left to fend for himself. What prowls over the Rift quickly becomes more than just fairy-tale and he discovers that not everything is exactly as it seems.What follows is nothing short of a revolution.
The story takes place in a land protected by the Dravara, a military organization that defends against what haunts over the Rift. Running from the required two years of service in the Dravara isn’t unusual, and oftentimes facing a bounty hunter is better than what lies east. Sixteen-year-old Aurora makes the decision to flee, but in a tragic turn of events Aurora is separated from his family, and Aurora is left to fend for himself. However, running can’t go on forever, and Aurora is forced to face a reality even more terrifying than being on his own. What prowls over the Rift quickly becomes more than just fairy-tale and he discovers that not everything is exactly as it seems. What follows is nothing short of a revolution.
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The story deals with many issues that people face themselves, some small while others are quite large and seem impossible to tackle head on. It explores ways of overcoming them, the hardships they cause and just what it means to be truly human, while also including a cast of predominantly LGBT+ characters, including the main character, as well as others from various minority groups.
The cold lantern light washed over the speckled cobblestone floor of the prison, flickering sluggishly against Aurora's face between the rigid iron bars. The man moved silently. There was an odd formality about it, the way his hands moved without touching anything more than the links of chain behind his back. There was no brush of an arm, no sound of the chains rattling, nothing but the dull clank as the cuffs fell away from his wrists and he could settle his arms rigidly in his lap.
Aurora
What do you want from me? (pause) Fine. How about this one? Who are you?
Daniel
You know full well who I am.
Aurora
Daniel? (pause) So, not even deserving of an explanation.
Daniel
Just eat.
Aurora
Gotta say...
Aurora
Daniel
Eat.
Aurora
Are we east? (pause) Not cold enough to be east. You know, this position you put me in isn't something I enjoy.
Daniel
You have to understand what kind of position this puts me in. If she finds out where you are, she'll kill me.
Aurora
Oh, just you. How terrible. Does she not already suspect you're part of this? Part of what? I'm alive, Daniel. That's significant, if I remember correctly.
Daniel
She'll kill us both. And you know that. Right now. I can't afford to have her suspect anything. And I pray she doesn't already. But...
Aurora
You think I give a shit about how that makes you feel?
Daniel
No, b ut I think you care about what's happening out there. If you didn't, neither of us would be in this mess.
Aurora
So it's pity then? What? Is it pity? What's driving you to do this for me?
Daniel
I... I'm not doing this for you, actually.
Aurora
You're just too clever for me to understand, it seems. Who are you doing this for, Daniel? Surely not yourself.
Daniel
You're right. It's for neither of us. But that doesn't mean I'm not responsible for you right now.
Narrator
Aurora's hand moved soundlessly across his lap. resting uncomfortably over bandages that poked out between the tears and his already tattered shirt. He shifted indignantly, placing the bowl on the cold floor and propelling it towards Daniel impatiently.
Daniel
Does it still hurt?
Aurora
Don't pretend you care. You can keep that. I'm not hungry.
Narrator
Daniel lifted the bowl slowly, eyeing it warily as he inched closer.
Daniel
You need to eat.
Aurora
Why? I'm not yours to worry over. You made that abundantly clear when you chose her over me.
Aurora
Daniel
Please, just eat.
Aurora
I swear, if you tell me to eat again, I'll find the strength to... (pause)Just...s top asking me. Please, do me that much.
Daniel
You can't be angry at me for caring enough to feed you.
Aurora
I'm angry at you for caring about me over what's going on, Daniel. If you cared, really cared about me at all, you wouldn't be here.
Daniel
And where would I be?
Narrator
Aurora slumped back. He slid down against the wall until his legs splayed out in front of him. forcing Daniel to take a step back.
Aurora
Go away, Daniel. I'm tired. I just...go.
Aurora
Go on. Throw a fit. It doesn't make a difference. Nothing either of us can do matters, does it? Starting to think it never did.
Aurora
Daniel
You're just being dramatic.
Aurora
Says the one leaving a man too weak to stand, chained to a wall. Doesn't that seem dramatic to you? Vex it all. Never mind. I understand. Are you afraid of me, Daniel?
Daniel
I... No. I'm not afraid.
Aurora
You hesitated.
Daniel
If either of us should be afraid, it's you. Of what? Just... just... everything. I don't know! It would keep you out of trouble.
Aurora
My friend, we both know it would take more than that to keep me out of trouble.
Daniel
Don't call me that, e specially not right now.
Aurora
You are my friend, aren't you?
Daniel
Back then, I always wondered why they didn't just kill you sooner for that mouth of yours. And some days... goddesses, s ome days I wanted to be the one to do it.
